A Spotlight on the Top Amenities to Look For When Transitioning Into a Senior Living Community
Weekly Sunday dinners with your family are the highlight of your week. You really enjoy your monthly appointments at the beauty salon. The comfort of your furniture in your own home is appreciated.
These are all the things you will surely miss when it comes time to move into a senior living community. But transitioning into a senior living center doesn’t mean you no longer get to enjoy the services and activities that bring you happiness.
Luckily, many communities offer a variety of amenities to keep life simple, normal, and comfortable for seniors making the big move from the comfort of their homes into a residential community.
If this transition is on your horizon, consider these 12 amenities when shopping for a senior living community.
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12 Senior Living Amenities Residents Actually Want
Senior living could mean many different things. Some senior living communities focus on memory care while others assist those with medical needs. Other senior living communities offer simple residential opportunities for older adults.
At Senior Services of America, we manage communities that offer a range of living options. Whether you or a loved one needs …
- Respite care
- Assisted care
- Memory care; or
- A simple place to call home
… we have it. And even better, our communities offer senior living amenities that make it feel just like home.
We understand it can be difficult to move away from everything you’re comfortable with in your own home. Maybe you have a regular housekeeper. You might attend the same crocheting circle every week. It could be your wonderful barber that gives you the perfect haircut every time that you most enjoy.
Whatever it might be, change is difficult. That’s why our communities offer an array of amenities as normal, simple, and helpful as possible
#1: Laundry & Housekeeping Services
Before moving into senior living, your weekly housekeeping services may have been the most helpful part of your entire week. It’s no surprise that as seniors age, they start to lose dexterity and mobility, making simple tasks difficult and painful to do.
Sometimes having an extra set of hands or two to help with things like …
- Switching laundry
- Folding and putting away laundry
- Cleaning the house
- Organizing
… can be just what you need.
#2: Barber & Beauty Services
Many senior living communities, such as those managed by Senior Services of America, offer barber and beauty services onsite, making it easy and convenient to get your regular haircut or shave.
Not only do many people enjoy the experience of haircuts and colors, or getting a clean shave from the barber, but these are essential parts of self-care that seniors deserve to have easy access to.
Plus, staying on top of these services will allow you to live the independent life you always have before moving to a retirement community.
#3: Exercise & Wellness Programs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that regular activity is one of the most important things you can do for health to prevent many issues that come with aging.
Depending on the reason you’re transitioning into a senior living community, staying up on your physical activity can be beneficial.
The CDC recommends that adults aged 65 and older need:
- At least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intense activity, like a brisk walk, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, like a hike, jog, or run.
- Activities that strengthen the muscles at least twice a week.
- Activities that improve balance about three times a week.
Many retirement community amenities focused on exercise and wellness programs include things like:
- Walking or running groups
- Pool activities
- Yoga
- Nutrition education
- Cooking classes
#4: Enrichment Activities
You may find the transition into a senior living community to be mentally difficult.
You’re going through many changes — whether selling your home and/or moving away from family — and staying engaged in activities can have both physical and mental benefits.
Many senior living communities offer enriching activities like:
- Movie nights
- Gardening club
- Arts and crafts
- Special performances like Christmas choir, visits from schools, etc.
- Higher learning opportunities
- Reading and writing clubs
- Pet therapy
- Music & dance clubs
#5: Entertainment Areas for Family & Friends Gatherings
Those living in senior living communities often appreciate it when they have visits from family and friends. However, their apartments may not be large enough to hold many people.
Some senior living communities offer private entertainment areas where you can host your family and friends for gatherings or a simple visit.
Whether the grandkids are stopping by for the afternoon, or you want to host a birthday dinner, having a comfortable and suitable area to welcome your family will encourage visitors.
#6: Transportation Services
As seniors get older, often they are at risk of losing their licenses or simply don’t feel comfortable driving anymore. Having provided transportation allows residents to not feel like a burden to family members and is an important part of their independence.
Transportation services can take seniors nearly anywhere they have to go, whether it be:
- Doctor appointments
- Therapy
- Shopping
- Church services
- And more
#7: Restaurant-Style Dining
Having amenities that allow for group dining options is important for seniors when it comes to having a sense of community.
Maybe you were used to weekly Sunday dinners with your big family and eating alone in your small senior living room is quickly becoming depressing.
When senior living centers offer restaurant-style dining with other residents— they encourage friendships, community, and connections.
#8: Social Outings
Staying within the confines of one building can sometimes start to feel more like a prison and less like a home. That can be as true for the house you raised your kids in as it can for a senior living community.
That’s why field trips and social outings can be so important to seniors and bring them a sense of normalcy and belonging. Your senior living community might include outings to:
- The casino
- Movie theater
- Botanical gardens
- The zoo
- Concerts
- Museums
#9: Healthcare & Medication Management
Healthcare and medication management are key amenities provided in senior living communities.
One national survey on the policies and practices of medication management in senior living communities found that more than half of the communities administer medications to 80-100% of residents every day, whether it be for acute illnesses or daily needs.
A senior living community offers what could be considered a quality medication management program if:
- Residents are receiving the right dosage of the right medications.
- Residents are given their medications on time and the dispensing of medication is well-documented.
- Residents’ medications are cross-references for allergies and adverse drug reactions.
- A drug reaction occurs, attention is given promptly, and intervention plans are immediately in place to prevent harm to the patient.
- The program is routinely reviewed and altered if needed.
#10: Library & Computers
You’re never too old to learn and explore, which is why having access to books and computers, or having classes that teach seniors how to navigate computers, is helpful in senior living communities.
Even if not used for learning or mental stimulation, access to the internet can help residents stay in touch with family via social media. However, it also can provide the opportunity to take online classes, stay up to date on world happenings, or anything else.
#11: Touches of Home
A well-decorated facility helps the residents feel at home. No one wants to live in a sterile, boring environment.
Many senior living centers offer elements of home to help residents feel more comfortable about their new living situation. This includes things like:
- Plants
- Artwork
- Decorations
- Soft lighting
- Comfortable furniture
- Bright wall colors
- Comfortable rugs
- Nice flooring
#12: Pet Care Services
No one wants to leave Fido behind when moving into senior living, but they want to make sure if he’s coming along, their pet can be cared for.
Some senior living facilities allow pets to live with their residents and offer many amenities to make this transition doable for both seniors and their animals.
This may look like:
- Transportation to vet appointments
- Mobile groomers
- Dog walking services
- Feeding services
- Onsite dog runs
Why Are Senior Living Amenities So Important?
Selling a home and moving into a senior living or assisted living community can feel like a “final destination” for many seniors — it can be a big, uncomfortable, and scary change.
That’s why you deserve the comforts and conveniences of your regular life to be offered in their new environment to help ease the transition and make this stage of your life simpler.
The Potential Risks of Choosing a Senior Living Community Without Amenities
Choosing a senior living community with all the bells and whistles of extra amenities is likely going to come with a larger price tag. All of these amenities are factored in when considering the cost of various communities.
But you get what you pay for, and choosing a senior living community without amenities will have its risks.
Seniors might suffer from …
- Boredom
- Loss of independence
- Depression
- A decline in cognitive function
- A decline in physical health
… if they aren’t part of a community that nourishes, encourages, and respects their needs, wishes, and dignity.
Senior Services of America: Providing Our Residents With Top-Notch Senior Living Amenities in Every Community
Transitioning into a senior living community might not be what every aging adult wants to do.
With a place that encourages a sense of belonging and believes in providing some independence all while providing the best possible care, the move to senior living can be a bit easier.
Senior Services of America offers communities that specialize in memory care, respite care, independent living, and assisted living. The amenities and services offered throughout our communities vary by location, but we are proud to say that most provide:
- Medication management
- Dining options
- An array of activities
- Transportation services
- Escorts to meals and activities
- Housekeeping and laundry services
- Recreation rooms
- Outdoor spaces for exercise and gathering; and
- Many opportunities for socialization
We want to help make the move into a senior living community smooth and enjoyable, and we hope that with our many amenities and services available, you’ll feel right at home.
Find your nearest community for more information on their various amenities, services and programs.
The content in this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.